Randyl81
Illinois
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Joined: 04/25/2007
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We love our Keystone Challenger 34 SAQ
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Dustytuu
Colorado USA
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Joined: 03/16/2004
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Cameo's are very nice. Have two friends who have Camero's and they love them. We have a Carri lite made by Carriage also. We are going full time next month and have already taken extended long trips with it. We love it and it makes a great full time unit. Carriage believes in good customer service. Great company and they will work with you.
2008 dodge 5500, diesel,Laramie cab, pressure pro tire.
2008 Carri-Lite 36SBQ, 4 slides,dishwasher,washer/dryer,2 fireplaces
D & D
Two Schnauzers, & cat
http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/Dustytuu/
Criminals prefer unarmed victims!
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Butch50
NW Montana
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Joined: 06/29/2002
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Texas Flash wrote:I would suggest you look at manufacturers who advertise fulltime. Peterson Industries (Excel), Double Tree, Carriage. Any and all have the potential for issues. I noted these three because I know they advertise fulltime units. That does not mean other manufacturers products won't hold up (Personally, I like the Montana).
Regarding financial condition. Good luck to all of us if the past two weeks on Wall Street continue to play out. Who knows who has the financial strength to continue, RV manufacturer or not.
Unless Doubletree has changed since 2006 they are not full time rated. I had a 2006 Elite Suites and in their manual it stated that is was not intended for full time usage and was intended for recreational use. Besides having problems with my Elite that is the reason I went with the Excel (Peterson Ind.). I'm now on my second Excel, as we decided to downsize and stayed with the Excel brand. I highly recommend the Excel brand and they stand behind their trailers. I can't speak about Carriage as I have never owned one so don't know what their manuals say.
Now saying that you can fulltime in a tent if you so desire and you can fulltime in any rig. It is just that the materials in a true fulltime rig are a little different. One the whole the appliances are the same. Excel makes their own furniture so the can pick from the fabrics that they want to offer, so if they decide to offer heavier weight to make it more durable they can do it. They are not just using the same as a lot of other companies.
This is IMO
Butch
2006 F550 CC 4X4 Lariat PSD/Torqshift Dark Shadow Grey Metalic w/Manning F350 bed
2009 Excel Limited 30TKE
2009 Arctic Fox 1140 (On Order due February)
2006 Dodge 3500 Laramie 4X4 QC SB SRW/Cummins 6 speed Jake exhaust brake
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kydale
Louisville, KY
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Joined: 03/22/2006
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We just ordered our first new 5er. Our second, the first one was bought used. We ordered it with the options we wanted. We looked until we were sick of looking. There are many things to consider, but IMO the most important is floor plan.
Good Luck
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Road Runners
Tampa Bay, Florida
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Joined: 12/19/2001
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I don't think you could go wrong with a Cameo. We have owned a Carri-lite and a Cameo both made by Carriage. We have put over 70,000 miles on the Cameo we have now, that we purchased new in 2000, and it is still as sound as the day we purchased it.
'05' F-250 Power Stroke
'00' 30' Cameo Fifth Wheel
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johnah
eaton ohio USA
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Joined: 03/07/2004
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Went thru the same exercise over a period of several years, our final list was the HitchHiker, Carriage Cameo & the Excel..we bought the HitchHiker.Watch your weight as any fulltime rig will be hvy -pin wt to be specific as it compares to your truck's mfg rating. Don't believe you could go wrong with any of the three..pick the floor plan that fits your lifestyle & don't skimp on your truck. Upgrade the tires, wheels, absolutely buy disc brakes,& look seriously at an air suspension for the trlr & air pin hitch for the trlr. Above all, do your own leg work - do not give much wt to any of the salesmen's "expertise" that we met. Take the factory tours of your final candidates list - interview the reps at the factory.
o8 HitchHiker 34LKTG , 07 3500,DRW, CC,, Duramax/Allison
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ButteBumBob
Albuquerque,New Mexico, USA
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Joined: 01/08/2004
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If I had your budget and was going to full time, my choice would be ...
Excel
2004 GMC 2500HD Duramax/Allison/Shortbed/Crew Cab/ 4x4
2004 Crossroads Cruiser Fifth Wheel CF29RK
1973 Seeker Travel Trailer (for the short trips)
Hangin with the Big Boys
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countryrose
Redding, Ca
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Joined: 11/14/2005
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All the 5er's named in these post are good units and should work. The real question is how are you going to use the trailer? You say full time, does this mean moving every few days or are you planning on extended stay. Like staying at one location for several weeks at a time. Are you planning on missing winter and going south for the season? The answers to these question can help in deciding on what 5er best suits you needs. Also give a lot of thought to your tow vehicle and the size of your Hitch pin. Cutting in these areas can lead to a lot of disappointment. Most people will recommend what they have as it fits there life style, so the most important person is you and family. Don't jump at the first 5er you look at, the choices are tremendous. Someone suggested you make sure the manufacture is not going out of business, when you figure out how to do that please share the formula with all of us. I suggest you select from companies that are selling lots of RVs as they are more apt to survive, there is no guaranty.
Good Hunting and Good Luck.
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Delaine and Lindy
Linden Tn. (The View)
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Joined: 02/20/2005
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I don't think there is such a thing as a 4 season 5th wheel. If they were it would be so heavy you would need a Class 8 Tractor to tow it. We have owned 5 wheels and some were better than others. We had a Cambridge by Keystone which had good R factors but they are no longer being build, they were very heavy. We now have a Mobile Suites by Drv and it has 3 1/4" walls and a very high R factor, the highest we have owned. It also has Zone 1 and Zone 2 cooling system and its all ducted. We look at some of the above 5th wheels (Excel, Cedar Creek and none compaired to the Mobile Suites. Just walk inside and feel the wood (Maple) in ours which is a option. It also has the best Hydraulic system (Jacks) 6 in all and two are for side to side leveling which is standard of the 2009'. This is our first trip and no issues so for. But I will say you must get what feel right for you. I no for sure this is a 3 season unit, we don't go were its cold. Good Luck with your choice. GBY...
We look at the Tetons but the price was just to out of line and out of our price range. But they have closed their doors, and thats very sad and has left a lot of people with no warranty?
2008 Chevy Silverado LTZ 3500, DRW
2008 Chevy Equinox LTZ
2009 Mobile Suites 36TK 3
B&W Hitch
www.webspawner.com/users/lnhdch
We are Blessed !!!!!!
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Fishn101
Seattle WA
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Joined: 07/17/2004
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Look at Floor plans -- Look at what type of camping you plan on. In parks with full hook ups - or a lot of dry camping --
Some brands may be more competitive price wise right now than another.
I do believe a dealer that is well thought of in the community and reasonable close to where you live is very valuable.
Almost every trailer is going to have some kind of issues. It's nice to have the dealer nearby. As the trailer gets older and no longer in warranty they are still a good source of information and my dealer gives us any parts at his cost.
Most units in the price range you refer to are going to be of a good quality. You might want to call around to repair shops that are not affiliated with a brand name and see what they say about the various brands you are looking at. We did and our Cameo got all A+ marks.
Good Luck and enjoy the journey.
2007-Cameo 30RLS - 2003 Chevy Silverado LT,Lg Bed,2500 HD, xtCab,4x4,DuraMax /w Alison Trans, Cab Controled Ride-Rite Air Bags, Cab Controled Rancho Shocks. 20' Northriver Boat
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